Tricky job: firemen push the burglar into the house after using bolt-cutters

A burglar had to be freed by firemen after getting stuck in a window for six hours.

The man tried to climb headfirst through an opening measuring just 12 inches by eight inches between 2am and 3am this morning and was not freed until 8.30am.

Police, ambulance and fire crews were called to the address in Bow after a resident at the house came downstairs for breakfast and spotted him stuck in the window.

One neighbour, who did not want to be named in case the perpetrator returned, said: It was hilarious. All of the neighbours came outside to take a look at his legs and backside sticking out of the window. He must have felt a right idiot. Most people wanted him to be left there.There is one neighbour who is a surgeon, and he told the emergency services he'd be able to get the burglar out without damaging the window. But they politely declined, saying they would rather get him out in one piece.

Two fire engines attended after being called at 7.30am and three firemen used a ladder to support the man's legs and bolt-cutters to slice through the downstairs window frame to free him.

His indignity was complete as he was led handcuffed, wearing just trainers and a grey tracksuit, into a waiting ambulance, as his top had to be removed during his ordeal.

After briefly being checked by paramedics, the man  described as white and thin (although evidently not thin enough)  was given the all clear and taken away in a police van.

A spokeswoman for the Met police said: A 36-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of burglary and is being held at an east London police station.